Grants & Initiatives

Waterways Accessibility for
Tennessee Recreation Grant

Tennessee is rich in waterways and water recreation has a significant economic impact on both local and state economies. The legislature provided $500,000 in FY 2017 and again in FY 2018 for marina grants that help promote tourism and the visitor experience.

The Tourism Enhancement Grant was developed to provide tourism infrastructure resources to enhance and improve the tourism economic impact in Tennessee counties. TDTD will manage the grant in partnership with TNECD for FY 2018. The Tourism Enhancement Grant funds will increase to $2 million.

The Marketing Grant provides tourism organizations such as CVBs, chambers of commerce or regional tourism organizations a way to expand their marketing message. The partnership is designed to increase visitation to their community and increase travel-generated revenue, while leveraging TDTD's brand, "The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee." Due to the success of the program, TDTD increased funds for the Marketing Grant to $1 million in FY 2017-2018.

Sponsored by Sen. Ken Yager and passed in 2011, the Tennessee Adventure Tourism and Rural Development Act is designed to identify the category and help businesses in the classification gain a foothold in rural areas. The act promotes outdoor recreational opportunities and helps support businesses that grow out of those activities, including trails riding (equine and motorized), rafting and kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and many other recreational activities.